Chapter 21— Legacy of Love

Raphael’s POV

"Do you love her that much?"

"Is it obvious gramps?"

A few days after Gramps birthday, I went to see him in his penthouse to give him the gift I got him for his birthday.

I couldn't give it to him on that day due to everything that happened on that day.

After giving him my gifts I sat down, going through some business files I had come with.

"The last time I saw you smile this way was when you were about five years old,"

"That long?" I said, surprise laced in my voice.

"Yes, that long, my child."

"I guess I have just met the woman of my dreams then."

"But you two just met?" Gramps said his voice laced with concern.

"Not really?"

"Look son, I am eager to see you get married, get my first great-grandchildren from you, I would be so happy if they were from you but" he paused

"But what gramps?"

"I don't want you making a mistake that you would regret for the rest of your life."

I took in a deep breath, closed up the files I was looking at, and sat straight up, facing Gramps.

"Gramps, the truth is I have met her before."

"Seriously? Please don't tell me you both had a one-night stand while she was still engaged to your brother?" He giggled

"Come on, gramps, hell no, that's a wide thinking, you know that, right?"

"Oh come on son, Don't be so uptight, I was only pulling your legs, I know you wouldn't do a thing like that you are not like your father neither are you like your brothers, Sometimes I wonder where you get your character trait from"

"Okay, gramps, well, I met her at a bar weeks ago, I came around-."

"What! Raphael, you came to New York City weeks ago and you didn't think to come greet your old man." He interrupted

I chuckled.

"Come on, gramps, it's not like that; I was going to come greet you, but..."

"But what son? You got carried away by a beautiful damsel?"

I laughed out loud. "Come on, gramps, would you just chill and listen to me."

We both burst out laughing uncontrollably.

"It's nice to see you laughing like this; I am glad that I got to see you in this mood before I die."

"Oh, Dad, and there are the death talks. Would you ever stop talking about this death of a thing? It's creeping me out."

"It's inevitable, especially when you've lived for as long as I have lived."

Gramps was eighty-five, but he looked fifty; I guess money made him look so young.

"Come on, Gramps, look at you; you don't even look like your age. I am sure when death comes knocking at your door, he's going to reject you because you look too young," I said, smiling.

"Thanks, son, for the compliment, but honestly, Raphael, it feels so good to have you here with me tonight; I have waited so long for this day to come."

"Well, I guess it's finally here," I said, raising my hands in surrender mode.

"Okay, that's enough, boys; dinner is served." Grandma Audrey announced.

"I hope you ain't going anywhere tonight, because I won't let you leave my sight this night." She said, smiling and looking at me.

I raised my hands in surrender. "You've got me, grandma; do to me whatever you deem fit tonight."

We all burst into laughter.

Grandma had maids around the house, but she always loved to cook the food Gramps would eat by herself; she doesn't trust anyone with his food, no matter how professional they are, and I have always loved that about her ever since I was little.

The only good memories I had about the family revolved around Gramps and Grandma Audrey. Those two were my backbone then.

"Now, would you two come up here? Let's devour this before it gets cold?"

"Okay, Your Royal Highness, we will be right there", Gramps replied.

"Hell no! You did not just call her that"

Gramps chuckled "I just did."

"You've been calling her that since I was like two,"

"Love never dies" Grandma Audrey interrupted smiling "Now would you two get up here in time before I come there and spank your asses"

"Son, she's gonna do it", Gramps smiled.

"I am a grown-ass man, grandma."

"Grown ass man my foot, as long as I am alive you are still my cute little grandchild, my first grandchild," she said

I loved what they both had; I wondered why Dad and Mom didn't live the way these two lived. Gramps and Grandma had been living like this for a very long time, and they were still living like this.

I wished that I and Diana would be together for as long as this.

"Come on, we will continue the discussion at the table," Gramps said, gesturing towards the magnificent dining table.

We stood up and went there. Grandma Audrey had made my best delicacy. It was also Gramp's best delicacy.

Spaghetti and meatballs.

When I was five, Gramps had told me stories of how his mom would make food for him every single time he came back from school, as dinner. He grew up to love the food so much that he couldn't even resist.

He even said one of the reasons why he fell in love with Grandma Audrey was because her Spaghetti and meatballs tasted exactly like his Mom's. I tasted Grandma Audrey's Spaghetti and meatballs when I was three, and ever since then, it has been my best and my go-to food.

The most surprising thing about all this is that every time she cooks it, she maintains the middle-class taste and feel of the food, and that's the most intriguing part of it.

Gramps loved it that way, and I also loved it that way.

I guess I am more like Gramps.

We began to eat, and as we ate, we talked about so many things; I told them both how I met Diana, and the story left them cracked up. They laughed for a long time.

"I want you to do you to tell the world about your marriage in a grand style," he said

My eyes widened.

"What do you mean by grandstyle Gramps?"

"You know, rent a luxurious mini Hall, invite business partners and maybe a few Reporters to film the occasion, I want the whole world to know that my favourite grandson is getting married"

"Gramps, that's not necessary; I already told Diana that we would only be doing a company introduction like you said."

"No, no, this is better my child, the luxurious mini Hall."

And that was it; Grandma Audrey had agreed to it, so there was no way I would be able to convince them.

Though I liked the idea I was worried about what Diana might think about it. It was a contract marriage. Well, to her, it was; to me, it isn't; I already vowed to make her see reasons to remain with me.

But what If she doesn't love me after five years? What if her heart still yearns for my brother? What if I am not good enough for her?